Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-30

tlxu0 VIII oxt6nu uOWu W bu6 SuIIdC6
water, which is so near and abundant,
and the native palms growing at the
foot of the San Bernardino mountains
all luxuriate in the strong seepage of
water impregnated with alkali; and
there are thousands of acres where
the date palm would flourish when
water can be obtained for irrigation.
If water cannot be obtained in abund-
ance from artesian wells it can be
piped from the mountains.
There is q remnant of friendly
tribe of Indians who cultivate some
little patches OF corn and grain near
Torres and Martinez, to the northwest
of Walters, and their ponies keep in
tolerable condition on the scanty grass
growing in low places at the base OF
the San Jacinto mountains. The In
dians subsist there in a great degree,
as they do on the Colorado river, on
the bean OF the mesquite tree. Rab-
bits and quail furnish them abund-
antly with game. These Indians
would make, with some instruction,
good laborers, and they are far in ad-
vance of the Yumas or the Colorado
Indians as to intelligence and in
dustry.
The future OF successful date. palm
cultivation in this valley admits of no
doubt, for every condition is, without
question, OF the most favorable char
acter, and believe that this oasis of
the so-called desert of the Colorado
will yet rival the famous FL Khasim
of Arabia.
People in California labor under a
delusion in regard to the cultivation
of the date. The cultivation will
never prove q success by planting the
seeds of the commercial date, as a
good date is the result only of endless
selection; a century produces perhaps
only one great man, or few fruits
superior to all others. The dates of
value now, like our choicest fruits, are
the result OF centuries of laborious ex-
pertinent and selection. The female,
or pistillate variety, gives the value
and character to the fruit, while the
staminate in the date is cultivated only
for the pollen to impregnate, and is
wholly worthless for fruit. Trees
from such usually result back toa Wild,
vigorous condition, and the trees
grown thus from seeds are often un-
productive and valueless. To culti-
vate the date palm with success the
offsets, or suckers, of proved bearing
varieties, must be used. A few hum
dred plants of the best varieties would
stock the valley in a few years. The
Department of Agriculture at Wash
ington would, with proper representa-
ton OF the case, probably make any
desired importation.
There is one feature of the valley
that has peculiar interest to me. 1t
possesses pre-eminently all the re-
quisites as to climate, of a perfect
winter sanitarium for asthma, con-
sumption and all lung difficulties. For
rheumatism it will prove unequaled.
Rich in oxygen, the pure, dense at
mosphere will be the elixir of life to
thousands in the years to to come. and
the sunny sky, undimmed by clouds
or storms and absolutely dry and pure
will do more for such patients than all
the valued remedies of pharmacy or
the medicinal springs OF the world. 1t
is situated on the most favored line Of
Eastern winter communication, and
with the luxurious modern cars will
be easily accessible to the frailest and
most delicate patient.
The coast OF California is too damp
for individuals laboring under these
infirmities, but in the valley may be
found the land of promise, with its
perpetual sunshine. The winter
storms cover the peaks OF the San Ja-
cinto with snow, and San Bernardino's
lofty summit looks down for months
crowned with winter glory, on the
oasis Of the desert. The wild gales of
winter drive the fleeing clouds just
over the mountains, but can come no
farther, and they melt away in the
eternal brightness Of its winter sun.
If to this rich climatic condition may
be added the adornment and beauty
that intelligence can make with capi-
tai and labor, this long-neglected val
ley will become the Mecca for the in
valids OF all North America.
One year ago last winter l made a
careful examination of the temper
ature and condition OF the climate in
the elevated Owens River Valley, and
also this winter in Yuma and vicinity,
and neither of these locations approxi-
mate the advantages the country
around Indio for winter sanitarium.
A date-palm orchard would be a
unique product for the United States,
and if vineyards and olive orchards
were planted this valley would rival
in actractiveness the renowned vale OF
Cashmere.
Thanking you for your kind consid-
Grafton in facilitating my examination
of this section of the State, am, sir,
very truly yours,
EDWIN KMBALL.